Matthew 22:1-14

1 Jesus responded by speaking again in parables:2 “The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding party for his son.3 He sent his servants to call those invited to the wedding party. But they didn’t want to come.4 Again he sent other servants and said to them, ‘Tell those who have been invited,
“Look, the meal is all prepared. I’ve butchered the oxen and the fattened cattle. Now everything’s ready. Come to the wedding party!”
’5 But they paid no attention and went away—some to their fields, others to their businesses.6 The rest of them grabbed his servants, abused them, and killed them.7 “The king was angry. He sent his soldiers to destroy those murderers and set their city on fire.8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding party is prepared, but those who were invited weren’t worthy.9 Therefore, go to the roads on the edge of town and invite everyone you find to the wedding party.’10 “Then those servants went to the roads and gathered everyone they found, both evil and good. The wedding party was full of guests.11 Now when the king came in and saw the guests, he spotted a man who wasn’t wearing wedding clothes.12 He said to him, ‘Friend, how did you get in here without wedding clothes?’ But he was speechless.13 Then the king said to his servants, ‘Tie his hands and feet and throw him out into the farthest darkness. People there will be weeping and grinding their teeth.’14 “Many people are invited, but few people are chosen.”

What exactly does Jesus mean when the king hosting his son’s wedding banquet says, “Many are called, but few are chosen”?
I have struggled with this parable because the king’s violent tendency and angry actions significantly conflict with my understanding of God’s nature. The God I know reflects both patience...

God, who knows and still loves, help us tenaciously seek, courageously sing, and clearly see your invitation to new life. Amen.

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In Exodus 33 Moses successfully argues that without Yahweh’s merciful presence Israel is no nation and that Yahweh’s and Moses’ efforts have come to naught. Psalm 99 mentions Yahweh’s royal rule, which brings to mind the human agents of that rule: Moses, Aaron, and Samuel. Each of these leaders facilitated Yahweh’s conversation with the people and Yahweh’s rule over them. The opening lines from First Thessalonians raise a question about the church’s understanding of evangelism. Paul and his coworkers experience a change in themselves because of the Thessalonians, who become a living proclamation of the gospel by virtue of their ready acceptance of it. In the Gospel reading, Jesus answers a question with a question and confuses his “audience” both then and today.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

• Read Exodus 33:12-23. When have you most longed for a glimpse of God’s glory? How did God give you the assurance you needed?
• Read Psalm 99. Where in your life is forgiveness needed to restore a loving relationship? How have you experienced “a forgiving God”?
• Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. As your Christian faith has developed, how have you seen it move “from head to heart to hands”?
• Read Matthew 22:15-22. How do you give to God “the things that are God’s”? What are some of those things Jesus wants you to give?

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